Gratitude and Beginnings

I want to start this message off by saying thank you to so many people including the team and board at Propel, my now former colleagues from the Latino Economic Development Center, Kate Barr, and every one of you who reached out to me over the last three months to congratulate me and tell me how excited they are that I am joining Propel Nonprofits. I am so grateful for your support, and I am just as excited as you are to work together to move our nonprofit sector forward.

I have been honored to work closely with Kate to transition into my new role. I am grateful for her friendship and mentorship. Her support has helped me be the leader I am and has prepared me to lead Propel into its next chapter.

I was born in California, grew up in Nevada, and have lived in Minnesota for 16 years. Now, I have a family of my own and countless numbers of friends and colleagues who work in nonprofits. I am proud to call myself a ‘Minnesotano’ – I love this state and the nonprofit sector. This is why I love being at Propel because I am a champion of nonprofits and that’s what Propel is.

Many people have been asking me what my plans are for Propel. First, I am a people person. I have spent the last few weeks getting to know the highly talented individuals who make up the team. The first 35 meetings on my calendar were with Propellers and I am enjoying getting to know them as people, professionals, and colleagues.

Second, and equally as important, we’re going to focus on what we are really good at. Propel is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). As a CDFI we have so much to offer nonprofits including access to capital in the form of grants, contracts, and smart loans, accounting and finance consulting and support, strategic development for nonprofits and their boards, and trainings on finance, governance, and strategy.

Nonprofit leaders need to be well-resourced, well-supported, and well-connected to lead. As nonprofit leaders, we can address some of the biggest challenges in our country and world, and I want Propel to support nonprofit leaders so they can address their challenges.

I believe we are all champions of nonprofits at Propel, I have already seen it. Over the next few years, my goal is to see our clients become their best selves. I know that there are so many challenges right now, don’t be discouraged, focus on your mission, and be the best that you can at whatever it is that you. We’re here to be your partner during the good and the bad.

As a team player, and someone who must do everything 100% I am so excited to start this work at Propel. If you are a current client, I am looking forward to having a conversation with you. If you’re a partner, I’m ready to work with you for a long time, and if you haven’t gotten to know Propel yet, or haven’t been back to talk with us in a while, I’m looking forward to connecting with you.

Now, let’s get to work, TOGETHER!